Abstract: A structure with hollow or partially hollow structural elements for shade structures, such as gazebos, sunshades, beach umbrellas or covering structures in general, or adapted to be used for furniture, includes a plurality of hollow or partially hollow structural elements and a system of joints configured to join the structural elements to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to furniture, housing and office accessories, and interior design. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to modular furniture, modular structures, a modular furniture system, and a modular unit for use in the modular furniture, the modular structures, the modular furniture system, and an interior design system. In some embodiments, the modular furniture system comprises a plurality of modular units that can be interconnected to one another to form furniture and other structures. Each modular unit comprises a plurality of side members interconnected to one another using connectors. The connectors can also be used to interconnect one modular unit to another modular unit.

Abstract: A sanitation tray system for medical, laboratory, and industrial equipment. This system is modular, stackable, and user customizable. It may be assembled in any number of horizontal or vertical configurations depending on the user's needs and is capable of permitting instruments of varying heights, lengths and widths to be sanitized simultaneously. It is easily assemblable and disassemblable and includes a rack, corners, sides, and dowels. It is lightweight, easy to manufacture, easy to ship, and economical. It is designed to use the least amount of surface area to allow for maximum permeation of sterilants and minimizes the opportunity for pooling of sterilants or retention of particulate matter while decreasing drying time.

Abstract: An improved mobile toilet structure may include a base, four side bars, four sleeve tubes, four panels and a lid. The base has four threaded holes at four corners of the upper side of the base, and a vertical exhaust pipe at one side of the rear portion of the base. The side bar has a first threaded portion on its upper end and a second threaded portion on its lower end. The sleeve tube has an opening on one side and the two margins of the opening extend outwards and form two wing-like structures. Among the four panels, the front one has a board installed in the panel that can be opened and closed, whereas all others may have transom windows opened at their upper portions. The lid is integrally molded, with its size and shape determined by the base.

Abstract: A portable ice barrel system composed of collapsible components configured to form a cylindrical insulation layer that also forms an opening at the top of the barrel. The base includes a grid, a disc, a rim, and a series of wheels. An inner liner extends into the opening of the cylindrical insulation layer to form an interior barrel cavity and an exterior barrel wall. The portable ice barrel may include a plurality of clips for holding the inner liner onto the cylindrical insulation layer, an expandable bladder or an insulative material injected into a gap between an inside surface of the exterior wall and an exterior surface of the expandable bladder to form an insulative layer, a plurality of sections that form an inner cylindrical insulation layer, and/or a hinged top and a hinged base that can be collapsed when deconfigured and shipped in a flat configuration.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber comprising a plurality of wall panels enclosing an interior space, in which the wall panels are removably attached to form the chamber using a plurality of connection members for locating the wall panels in a predetermined arrangement. The vacuum chamber further comprises one or more sealing members provided at the edges of the wall panels. The wall panels are arranged so that a vacuum tight seal is formed at the edges of the wall panels as a result of forming a vacuum in the interior space.

Abstract: A method of reducing fuel vapor permeation through a multi-layer tank includes providing a multi-layer overlay onto at least a portion of a structural layer of the multi-layer tank. The multi-layer overlay preferably comprises at least one structural layer composed of a polymeric material that is compatible with one or more of the polymeric structural layer(s) of the multi-layer tank. The multi-layer overlay further comprises at least one barrier layer composed of a vapor barrier material resistant to hydrocarbon permeation therethrough. The multi-layer overlay may be secured to the multi-layer tank by, for example, applying a suitable amount of heat and pressure thereto or by molding the multi-layer overlay to the tank body during a tank forming process.

Abstract: A collapsible container for containing goods, including a liquid and/or solid/liquid mixture, configured to be assembled and disassembled manually without the use of tools. The container includes a plurality of upright panels coupled to a base by their bottom portions. Each panel of a first type is flanked along its opposing upright edges by a pair of adjacent panels of a second type. Each of the edges of each of the panels is coupled by an edge joining assembly to one of the edges of one of the flanking panels. The assembly comprises a first elongated edge joining member having a longitudinal channel with alternating partially enclosed portions and substantially unenclosed portions and a second elongated edge joining member having longitudinally extending spaced apart locking members. Each unenclosed portion is configured to receive a locking member, which are slid longitudinally within the channel into an adjacent partially enclosed portion.

Abstract: A collapsible container for containing goods, including a liquid and/or solid/liquid mixture, configured to be assembled and disassembled manually without the use of tools. The container includes a plurality of upright panels coupled to a base by their bottom portions. The bottom portion of each panel has a relieved portion that extends into a corresponding groove formed in the base. The panels include panels of a first type and panels of a second type, with the relieved portion of the panels of the first type differing from the relieved portion of the panels of the second type. Each panel of the first type is flanked along its opposing upright edges by a pair of adjacent panels of the second type. Each of the edges of each of the panels is coupled by an edge joining assembly to one of the edges of one of the flanking panels.

Abstract: A cable tray has a pair of opposed side rails with a pair of aligned through bores. One or more stacked cable support blocks extend between the opposed side rails. A lower rung extends between the rails at the pair of aligned through bores. The lower rung has an upwardly opening channel extending along its length receiving the bottom edge of a lowermost one of the cable support blocks. The lower rung also has at least one opening extending through the lower rung in alignment with the pair of aligned through bores. A fastener extends through at least one opening of the lower rung and through at least one of the pair of aligned through bores in the side rails.

Abstract: A multilevel container is disclosed which comprises circumferentially continuous wall or bottom elements of sheet metal with radially outwardly beaded end faces. The wall and bottom elements are placed on top of each other on butt joints so as to seal the end faces and are detachably braced with a minimum of one neighboring container level. The multilevel container also comprises one or more sealing rings and bracing components that act on neighboring end faces. In order to provide a readily manufacturable and form a stable multilevel container without multiple beads in alternating directions or weldings in the butt joint portions, a separate and independent shape retaining ring is provided. This ring reinforces the container and has shape retaining surfaces on its two end faces. In the region of their end faces, the neighboring wall and bottom elements are set on and tightly braced against the shape retaining surfaces of the reinforcing shape retaining ring.

Abstract: A compost bin fitted with closure devices to allow it to be readily opened to expose the compost pile for turning, amendment and movement to a new site. Commonly available closure devices are modified and put to a new use wherein they affect the easy opening and closure of the sidewall of compost bins. This new easily opening compost bin eliminates the need to remove compost from a bin for turning. Instead the bin is removed from around the compost. Once exposed the compost pile is readily and more easily accessible to turning and amending from all sides. No heavy lifting is required in order to move, rotate or empty a compost-filled bin. Both permanent attachment of the closure devices and removable attachment are possible. Removable attachment allows the easy construction of a compost bin from hardware mesh and other mesh materials. Design elements of the solid-walled version optimize aeration of the compost without turning.

Abstract: A transformer tank with detachable cabinet interface. The transformer tank has a metal front panel for attachment of an electrical cable. A one-piece enclosure of non-conductive, flame resistant material cooperates with the front panel to provide an enclosed cable compartment for the transformer tank. A cabinet interface of non-conductive, flame resistant material is mounted on the periphery of the front panel. The interface is comprised of strip material having a tongue and groove or Y-shape.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo container adapted to provide blast attenuation in the event of an explosion within the container comprises panels (2,3) of blast resistant material joined together by joint means (4,5) which are adapted to provide a relatively rigid joint udner normal handling conditions, but which provide a relatively flexible hinged joint capable of transmitting tensile loads between the panels under blast conditions. Additional reinforcement may be provided by a lattice of high tensile strength straps 6 substantially surrounding the container.

Abstract: A cargo container having joining members to join plural panels and a top rail assembly connecting the side panels to the roof of the container. In one embodiment the joining member defines a longitudinally elongated hollow core, which optionally is filled with structural foam. In another embodiment, the joining member receives a logistic insert having logistic slots. The top rail assembly has a longitudinally extended mounting flange for mounting the side panels. By angling the top rail, the container achieves a characteristic wedge-shaped side profile, while still using uniformly height dimensioned side panels.

Abstract: An ice bin for storing manufactured ice therein, having four walls and a floor and provided with a bin liner disposed in the ice bin adjacent the four walls of the ice bin. The liner has four, generally planar panels which are connected by at least one edge joint. Each edge joint has two slots formed at right angles to one another, each slot formed by two legs for holding two adjacent liner panels at generally right angles to one another. Each joint further has two spacers disposed adjacent each slot and generally at right angles to each slot for defining a space for insulation between the ice bin and liner panels, to aid in assembly, and to contribute to the strength of the liner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-purpose beverage canister which can be split into upper and lower sections. The canister has an upper tab provided at an upper surface of the canister, a seal member which is attached at the upper surface of the canister and is opened by drawing the upper tab upwards, a take-off strip for binding upper and lower sections of the canister, and a lower tab fixed to the take-off strip. The canister is re-used as a cup, pencil case, and vessel, thereby not only reducing trash, but also preventing resources from wasting.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing blast damage caused by an explosive device carried in luggage or other cargo loaded on an aircraft. A first cargo container is provided which includes a non-explosion-resistant panel. A second cargo container, also including a non-explosion-resistant panel is paired with the first container and both containers are loaded in the cargo bay such that the non-explosion-resistant panels face inboard, oppose and align with one another. The method provides a controlled venting feature whereby explosive products are vented into the adjacent container in the cargo bay of an aircraft through non-explosion-resistant panel on the inboard side of the container. The container is constructed of lightweight, high-strength materials and may be joined to a supporting structure with threaded fasteners, allowing for efficient replacement of damaged panels.

Abstract: A modular container for use in shipping is disclosed. The container includes a floor element, a plurality of upstanding frame members which are positioned about the floor element, and a plurality of wall panels. The wall panels are associated with the frame members to form the sidewalls of the container. A cover is positioned atop the frame members. The floor element is fitted with tab extensions and recess openings which facilitate the interlocking of a plurality of floor elements to form a floor element assembly. Likewise, the cover is fitted with tab extensions and recess openings which facilitate the interlocking of a plurality of covers to form a cover assembly. The container is includes a strap arrangement which permits the floor element and the cover to be urged into abutment against the frame elements and the wall panels thereby forming a container.

Abstract: A pallet container is disclosed as including a thin-walled container supported on a floor pallet and tightly surrounded by a wire grid connected to the floor pallet. The wire grid includes vertical edges which are joined together along a vertical junction region by a sheet-metal strip which is bent about the wire of the surrounding wire grid.

Abstract: In order to be able to utilize polycarbonate sheet material as a structural (i.e., stress-bearing) component in an assembly comprising polycarbonate and metal components, as, for example, in a monocoque air cargo container wherein the polycarbonate sheet material is used as the "skin" of the structure, an attachment assembly is utilized to provide a rigid, stress-bearing joint without inducing crack-inducing high levels of localized stress on the polycarbonate sheet. The attachment assembly comprises a significant area of overlap between the polycarbonate and metal components, and an attachment strip which substantially covers the attachment area. Rivets or bolts are inserted through oversized holes in the metal, polycarbonate, attachment strip assembly and then torqued. The compressive forces exerted thereby create the rigid joint (even in an environment where the joint is subject to 180.degree. F..+-. temperature cycling such that the different coefficients for thermal expansion for the polycarbonate vs.

Abstract: Folding containers as packaging for relatively large bundles are conventionally sent to the refuse tip (damp) after use. The invention is to provide a reusable and largely recyclable folding container. For this, at least the side walls (11 to 14) made of plastic are designed with hinge strips (30), consisting of the same or a similar material, for the connection of said side walls. A version with a so-called tray is also possible. In this case, one part of the folding container consists of paperboard and serves for receiving smaller packs, whilst another part, made of plastic as described previously, is designed with hinge strips and is therefore reusable.

Abstract: A modular cylinder comprises a plurality of, in this case 24, modules each having a tongue to engage a groove of its neighbor and each either having a camming ramp to engage a camming ramp of its neighbor, or a filler rod inserted between adjacent modules at each interface. Where the camming means are provided, (n-1) of the modules can be placed into engagement to define an almost complete cylinder and can then be strained in a radially outward direction to provide space for the final module which is placed in position by sliding longitudinally of the gap. Where the filler rods are used, all of the n modules may be loosely assembled in a first operation and the filler rods can be inserted in a second operation to pre-stress the cylinder.

Abstract: A collapsible bin box assembly formed of two separate collapsible bin boxes. The bin boxes are identical in construction having side and end walls constructed in a manner which permits them to be folded down upon the base, making the bin boxes collapsible. In order to form the bin box assembly from two separate identical bin boxes, the bin boxes are arranged end-to-end in substantially abutting relationship and with the side walls of the two bin boxes along each side of the assembly parallel and interconnected by splices. When the adjacent end walls of the two bin boxes are folded down flat, the enlarged bin box assembly has a capacity approximately double the capacity of either one of the bin boxes. The interconnected side walls are capable of swinging as a unit from the normal upright position of use to a collapsed position when the bin box assembly is empty.

Abstract: A cargo container which includes a plurality of elongated frame members each having an outer surface and an interior region opposite the outer surface, two elongated channels opening to the interior region on either side edge of the frame member and an elongated recess adjacent to and parallel with each of the channels. A plurality of coupling members are removably engagable with ends of the frame members and a plurality of panels are affixed to openings defined by the frame members. Panel edging is affixed around a periphery of each of the panels. The edging has a projecting portion removably insertable into the channels and an elongated recess around the perimeter thereof such that, when said edging is engaged with corresponding channels in said frame members, the edging recess in combination with corresponding recesses of said frame members form an elongated slot around the perimeter of said edging.